Usage of the Smart Phones for Learning Purposes by Students who Follows 'Diploma in Commonwealth Youth Development Programmes' in the Colombo and Batticaloa Centres of the Open University of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Smart phones and other mobile digital devices, such as tablets, can be surprisingly useful didactic resources for developing subjects in both distance and face-to-face University studies. Th6refore, this study attempts to find the usage of the smart phones. The students who follow the Diploma in commonwealth youth development programmes were considered as the population of this study and 74 students from the population selected as the sample of this study. The survey method was used in this study' Questionnaires were used to collect data from the sample. The data was analyzed in descriptive statistical methods. The finding shows the usage of smart phones related with distance education support to increase students learning. social interactions, collaborative learning, and socialization of students etc. The freedom in the learning environment. In the coming decade smart phones will be a main learning tool in the distance learning system. Thus the Open University of Sri Lanka has to take immediate action to promote the usage of smart phones in the learning environment. Other universities also have to motivate their students to use the smart phones for educational purposes.